Male Dancers in Egypt, new article.

Zorba · 01-03-2008, 12:24 AM

Bloomberg.com: News

This makes me happy, even if they *are* restricted to a very narrow, so-called "masculine" role. Its a start at least...

Aisha Azar · 01-03-2008, 12:33 AM

Dear Zorba,
I am sorry to say that the article seems to be fraught with misinformation. For one thing, the dance is not "hundreds of years" old, so how could male belly dancers have been around for that long? Most of the info from Lane is very twisted. Most belly dancers do not play cymbals unless they are dancing Beledi (there are a FEW exceptions). Note the association with homosexuality and how this still makes it pretty haram for men. I have tried before on this form to point out that the dance has been going on as long as it has been in existence, in homosexual venues, and gotten very negative response. We also have to bare in mind that people will say in public and in the press something different than they may actually think.
Regards,
A'isha

Brea · 01-03-2008, 03:29 AM

A'isha:

I am curious about what you say about zills. I never learned them because they give me a huge headache. However, because I don't play them everyone around here says that I'm not quite pro. Is this the case? Sorry to derail the thread but I wanted to ask someone.

Zorba · 01-03-2008, 04:44 AM

A'isha, you may be entirely correct - but it *is* (seemingly) still a start...

janaki · 01-03-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorba

A'isha, you may be entirely correct - but it *is* (seemingly) still a start...

Yes Zorba, you are right. It is still a start eventhough somethings in the article looks fictional rather than facts. Overall it is positive thing for male belly dancers.

lizaj · 01-03-2008, 09:54 AM

Is he refering to Kochek dancers who danced in Egypt when the Ghawazee were expelled..that would just about eek into the hundreds of years? ( and yes I do know they are Turkish but they took the opportunity)

And I suppose if depended on your take on wether something is social or folkloric dance.
Certainly men have a much shorter history in the Raks Sharki we identitfy as performance belly dance today.

Aisha Azar · 01-03-2008, 03:49 PM

Dear Brea,
Well, you should learn to play finger cymbals, because dancers do use them in Beledi, and sometimes other forms of folkloric dance. There is generally a part in any long performance where the dancer will do a Beledi piece. There are many kinds of cymbals. Maybe you could invest in some that are not so ringy, or something. Look for a more clacky pair and see if it helps. Also, if you hold your ring finger on the cymbal that is attached to your middle finger, it will help to control the cymbal and the sound it makes.
Belly dancers do not necessarily need to knjow who to play cymbals to be professional, but it helps.

Dear Zorba,
Actually, there have been articles about male dancers around for many years. When we STOP seeing articles about male dancer just because they are male, then there will be some noticeable progress!! Right now they are treated more like the bearded lady or a three headed calf....

Regards,
A'isha

Zorba · 01-03-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A'isha Azar

Dear Zorba,
Actually, there have been articles about male dancers around for many years. When we STOP seeing articles about male dancer just because they are male, then there will be some noticeable progress!! Right now they are treated more like the bearded lady or a three headed calf....

Regards,
A'isha

Yes dear. I have links to lots of articles about male Belly Dancers on my website. What makes this one different is that its in Egypt - something I haven't seen before.

Brea · 01-03-2008, 04:49 PM

Hi A'isha-

Do you think that will help? All the cymbals I have encountered just vibrate through my head when I click them together. They are pretty to look at but learning them has been kind of difficult because everytime I hear the noise I want to curl up into a ball on the floor.

Am I the only one that has such sensitive hearing? I can't go to concerts either...and I can hear the noise the tv makes just being on. It makes life rather irritating in general but having the cymbals right near me is agony. Maybe if I just held my arms out all the way? Hmm. Anyone else with sensitive hearing have advice on cymbals?

to Zorba-

I am very glad to see there are more articles on male dancers out there. I do agree with A'isha here though...it will be the best when male dancers are accepted as the norm.

Zorba · 01-03-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brea

Hi A'isha-
Anyone else with sensitive hearing have advice on cymbals?

Have you tried Saroyan (brass) Grecians? They're pretty mellow and low pitched.

01-03-2008, 12:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zorba Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 857	Male Dancers in Egypt, new article. Bloomberg.com: News This makes me happy, even if they are restricted to a very narrow, so-called "masculine" role. Its a start at least... __________________ -Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net "There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

01-03-2008, 12:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,462	Males Dear Zorba, I am sorry to say that the article seems to be fraught with misinformation. For one thing, the dance is not "hundreds of years" old, so how could male belly dancers have been around for that long? Most of the info from Lane is very twisted. Most belly dancers do not play cymbals unless they are dancing Beledi (there are a FEW exceptions). Note the association with homosexuality and how this still makes it pretty haram for men. I have tried before on this form to point out that the dance has been going on as long as it has been in existence, in homosexual venues, and gotten very negative response. We also have to bare in mind that people will say in public and in the press something different than they may actually think. Regards, A'isha Last edited by Aisha Azar; 01-03-2008 at 12:44 AM.

01-03-2008, 03:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	A'isha: I am curious about what you say about zills. I never learned them because they give me a huge headache. However, because I don't play them everyone around here says that I'm not quite pro. Is this the case? Sorry to derail the thread but I wanted to ask someone. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

01-03-2008, 04:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zorba Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 857	A'isha, you may be entirely correct - but it is (seemingly) still a start... __________________ -Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net "There is nothing sadder than a veil, that is for sale."

01-03-2008, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,462	Article, etcl Dear Brea, Well, you should learn to play finger cymbals, because dancers do use them in Beledi, and sometimes other forms of folkloric dance. There is generally a part in any long performance where the dancer will do a Beledi piece. There are many kinds of cymbals. Maybe you could invest in some that are not so ringy, or something. Look for a more clacky pair and see if it helps. Also, if you hold your ring finger on the cymbal that is attached to your middle finger, it will help to control the cymbal and the sound it makes. Belly dancers do not necessarily need to knjow who to play cymbals to be professional, but it helps. Dear Zorba, Actually, there have been articles about male dancers around for many years. When we STOP seeing articles about male dancer just because they are male, then there will be some noticeable progress!! Right now they are treated more like the bearded lady or a three headed calf.... Regards, A'isha

01-03-2008, 09:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,240	Is he refering to Kochek dancers who danced in Egypt when the Ghawazee were expelled..that would just about eek into the hundreds of years? ( and yes I do know they are Turkish but they took the opportunity) And I suppose if depended on your take on wether something is social or folkloric dance. Certainly men have a much shorter history in the Raks Sharki we identitfy as performance belly dance today.

01-03-2008, 04:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Hi A'isha- Do you think that will help? All the cymbals I have encountered just vibrate through my head when I click them together. They are pretty to look at but learning them has been kind of difficult because everytime I hear the noise I want to curl up into a ball on the floor. Am I the only one that has such sensitive hearing? I can't go to concerts either...and I can hear the noise the tv makes just being on. It makes life rather irritating in general but having the cymbals right near me is agony. Maybe if I just held my arms out all the way? Hmm. Anyone else with sensitive hearing have advice on cymbals? to Zorba- I am very glad to see there are more articles on male dancers out there. I do agree with A'isha here though...it will be the best when male dancers are accepted as the norm. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com